Penalty shootouts are one of the most dramatic moments in football. When two teams remain level after regular time and extra time in a knockout match, a penalty shootout can be used to determine the winner. It puts enormous pressure on the players and goalkeeper because a single kick can change the entire outcome of a match.
But how penalty shootouts work is actually quite simple. Both teams take a series of penalty kicks from the same distance, and the team that scores more penalties wins.
What Is a Penalty Shootout?
A penalty shootout is a method used to decide the winner of a football match when the score is still level after the normal 90 minutes and, where applicable, extra time.
Unlike a normal penalty awarded during a match, a shootout is not part of regular gameplay. Players take their kicks one at a time with only the goalkeeper defending the goal.
Penalty shootouts are mainly used in knockout competitions where a winner must be decided, such as cup competitions, international tournaments, and playoff matches.
When Is a Penalty Shootout Used?
A shootout is generally used when a competition requires a winner but the teams cannot be separated after the scheduled match time.
The usual process is:
- The match is played for 90 minutes.
- If the score is tied, extra time may be played.
- Extra time consists of two 15-minute periods.
- If the teams are still level, a penalty shootout may decide the winner.
The exact rules can vary between competitions, so some tournaments may use different procedures depending on their regulations. You can also learn more about the latest developments through Football News Today.
How Penalty Shootouts Work
The basic shootout format is straightforward. Each team selects players to take penalties. The referee decides which goal will be used, and a coin toss determines which team takes the first kick.
The teams then alternate penalty kicks.
Each penalty is taken from the penalty mark, which is 11 metres (12 yards) from the goal line. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the kick is taken, subject to the applicable laws of the game.
The player taking the penalty attempts to score while the goalkeeper tries to save it.
After both teams have taken the same number of kicks, their scores are compared.
The First Five Penalties
Traditionally, each team is given up to five penalty kicks during the initial phase of a shootout.
For example:
- Team A scores
- Team B scores
- Team A misses
- Team B scores
- Team A scores
- Team B misses
The process continues until all five players from each team have taken their kicks or the result has already been decided.
Importantly, teams do not always need to take all five penalties. If one team has an unbeatable advantage before the five rounds are complete, the shootout ends immediately.
For example, if Team A has scored four penalties while Team B has missed all four of its attempts, Team B cannot catch up if only one kick remains for each team. Team A would therefore win.
What Happens If the Score Is Still Level?
If both teams have scored the same number of penalties after their initial five kicks, the shootout enters sudden death.
In sudden death, each team takes one penalty at a time.
If both players score, another round takes place. If both miss, the shootout continues.
The shootout ends when one team scores and the other fails to score in the corresponding round.
For example:
| Round | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Goal | Goal |
| 7 | Goal | Miss |
Team A would win because it scored while Team B failed to score in the same round.
Who Takes the Penalties?
The players who are on the field at the end of the match are generally eligible to participate in the shootout, subject to the competition rules and Laws of the Game.
A team must provide a list of eligible players before the shootout begins.
Players usually take penalties in a predetermined order. Coaches and players may consider several factors when deciding who should take a kick, including confidence, technical ability, experience and performance under pressure.
Goalkeepers can also take penalties, although this is much less common. Information about leading players can be explored through Best Football Players.
Can the Same Player Take More Than One Penalty?
During the initial rounds, a player cannot normally take a second penalty until all eligible players on their team have taken a kick.
If the shootout goes beyond the first cycle of eligible players, players may become eligible to take another penalty.
This can create extremely tense situations because the responsibility may eventually return to players who have already taken a kick.
The Role of the Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper plays a huge role in a penalty shootout.
The goalkeeper must try to predict where the penalty taker will place the ball. They may study the player's body position, previous penalties, preferred shooting direction and approach to the ball.
However, penalty kicks are taken from relatively close range, meaning the goalkeeper has very little time to react.
A goalkeeper can win a shootout almost single-handedly by making crucial saves. At the same time, a goalkeeper can also face enormous pressure if the result depends on their ability to stop the next kick.
What Happens If a Penalty Is Missed?
A penalty can fail in several ways.
The player may:
- Shoot wide of the goal.
- Hit the post or crossbar without the ball entering the goal.
- Have the kick saved by the goalkeeper.
- Commit a violation that results in the kick being retaken or otherwise dealt with according to the Laws of the Game.
A missed penalty does not automatically mean the other team wins. The shootout continues until the result is mathematically decided.
Why Are Penalty Shootouts So Difficult?
Penalty shootouts are not only about football skill. They are also a psychological battle.
Players know that thousands or millions of people may be watching, while their single kick could determine whether their team advances or is eliminated.
Confidence, concentration and composure are extremely important.
A player may be an excellent striker during normal play but struggle when facing a goalkeeper in a shootout. Similarly, a goalkeeper can become the hero of the match by saving an important penalty.
Penalty Shootouts in Major Competitions
Penalty shootouts have produced some of football's most memorable moments. They are common in major knockout tournaments when matches cannot finish with a draw.
International competitions, domestic cup tournaments and club competitions have all been decided by penalty shootouts.
Because of their unpredictable nature, they often create unforgettable celebrations and heartbreaking defeats. Fans can follow major football developments through Sports Headlines and Latest Football News.
Penalty Shootout vs. Penalty During a Match
It is important to understand the difference between a normal penalty kick and a shootout penalty.
A penalty during a match is awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick offence inside their own penalty area. It happens while the match is being played.
A penalty shootout takes place after the match has reached the stage where a winner must be determined and the score remains level.
In a shootout, the penalties are used specifically to determine the winner rather than to punish an offence committed during normal play.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how penalty shootouts work makes one of football's most exciting situations even more interesting. Teams take alternating penalties, normally beginning with up to five kicks per side. If the scores remain level, the competition moves into sudden death until one team gains an advantage.
Penalty shootouts combine technical ability, goalkeeper skill, tactics and mental strength. A single save or missed kick can decide an entire tournament.
That unpredictability is exactly why penalty shootouts remain one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking parts of football. For broader sports coverage, match stories and updates, explore Sports News Today and Soccer News USA.